Archive for the 'Drew Mcallister' Tag Under 'USC' Category

It's been a strange five-year journey for Curtis McNeal (above), Khaled Holmes and the rest of USC's fifth-year seniors. It started in 2008, when they were redshirting freshmen and USC beat Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Within two years, Coach Pete Carroll jumped to the NFL and the USC program got hit by crippling NCAA sanctions.

Rather than transfer, this group, which also includes Wes Horton, Abe Markowitz and the injured Drew McAllister and Brian Baucham, stuck with USC. They never made it back to a BCS game, but still consider the journey to have been worthwhile. Holmes and McNeal share their thoughts in the Register's Sun Bowl preview...

For every football coach who talks about not looking ahead, well, there's this...

Lane Kiffin acknowledged today that when he liberally rotated his defensive players last Saturday against Colorado -- particularly in the secondary -- he did it with an eye toward the no-huddle, fast-paced offenses that USC will face this week (against Arizona) and next week (against Oregon).

So while the overmatched Buffaloes didn't put much fear into the USC defense, the Trojans used the Colorado game as something of a dry run. They moved defensive players in and out, quickly, and used a deep roster that included increased reps for players such as Gerald Bowman and Drew McAllister.

''We rotated based off of preparing for the next two opponents,'' Kiffin said. ''We wanted to not get to this (week) and then all of a sudden have a no-huddle rotation. Even though (Colorado wasn't) no-huddle, we treated our reps that way, and that's why you saw all of our guys -- even T.J. McDonald and Nickell (Robey) -- rotating for us. It's very critical for those (other) guys to go in and play well. We're going to need them down the stretch here, with these high-powered offenses. … Even though we didn't expect Colorado to be up-tempo, we didn't want to wait until this week to start shuffling guys.''

The Trojans know they will face a big test from Arizona, which averages the most passing yards per game in the Pac-12 Conference. Josh Shaw, the converted safety who started at cornerback against Colorado and split time with Torin Harris, figures to get tested as well. Kiffin indicated that he is mostly pleased with Shaw's development.

The grades are in for USC's 50-6 victory over Colorado on Saturday at the Coliseum:

OFFENSE

The good: QB Matt Barkley tied his school record with six TD passes and completed 95 percent of his attempts, the best single-game mark in conference history. ... WR Robert Woods had eight catches for a season-high 132 yards and a school-record four touchdowns.

The not-so-good: The right side of the offensive line broke down in the first quarter, resulting in Barkley getting hit and stripped (the play did not go in the books as a sack because the ball went past the line of scrimmage). ... TE Xavier Grimble lost a fumble just before halftime.

Here are my top five observations from USC's 50-6 victory over Colorado on Saturday at the Coliseum:

1. Yes vote for no-huddle

The most obvious reason USC's passing attack suddenly sprung to life Saturday was the quality, or lack thereof, of the opposition. But another factor played a significant role, and that was the Trojans' no-huddle approach. USC went without a huddle almost excusively while Matt Barkley was in the game. Magically, the Trojans did not commit a single delay-of-game or false-start penalty -- infractions that have plagued them throughout the season. "They go out, they line up and they play," USC receivers coach Tee Martin, a former quarterback, said of the no-huddle effect. "It was a good changeup for us." The question going forward is whether it'll remain a changeup or become the Trojans' primary pitch. Lane Kiffin said the team had practiced the no-huddle all season but that he was waiting for "the right time" to break it out. Heading into the stretch run against five consecutive quality opponents seems like the perfect time. Minimally, Arizona and others will have to prepare for it now. My suspicion is that it'll be more than just a decoy.

The package is called "Fresno," for obvious reasons. Its most notable feature is Fresno native T.J. McDonald, a safety, playing near the line of scrimmage, where he can rush the passer or drop into coverage.

It's about more than just McDonald, though.

USC's new defensive wrinkle -- a 3-2-6, or "Dollar" package, at least in Madden -- features three safeties and three cornerbacks. It enables Drew McAllister, an excellent ball hawk, to get on the field. It also provides the option of putting Nickell Robey in the slot, where he'll make his money in the NFL.

The Trojans first dabbled with "Fresno" in spring, then upped its usage in training camp. They let the world in on the new formation once the season started, throwing it at offenses as a change-up in clear passing situations.

** Projected starting defensive ends Wes Horton and J.R. Tavai returned to practice after missing most of last week. Horton still seemed to be limited because of an undisclosed injury. Tavai appeared to be fully healthy, even running downfield to break up a pass.

** After reviewing the film of Sunday's scrimmage, USC coach Lane Kiffin said another defensive end, Morgan Breslin, was among the standouts.

** Kiffin said the offense performed with a greater sense of urgency after Sunday's sluggish performance. I'll have more on that later.

Our preview of USC training camp continues with a look at the team's three biggest strengths. Coming later today: the Trojans' three biggest concerns.

1. Wide receiver

No receiving tandem in college football can match USC's duo of junior Robert Woods and sophomore Marqise Lee. A program is doing well if it has one gamebreaking go-to guy with first-round NFL talent; the Trojans happen to have two. Woods and Lee, who combined for 184 reception, 2,435 yards and 26 touchdowns last season, complement each other perfectly. Woods is sure-handed and reliable yet also capable of big plays. Lee is a deep threat with extraordinary leaping ability and body control.

2. Quarterback

Senior Matt Barkley could be the No. 1 pick in next year's NFL draft. But he provides so much more than on-field production. Barkley is a true team leader who set the tone for this season when he announced he'd return to school to complete some “unfinished business.” He is the current face, voice and soul of USC football. His backups, redshirt freshmen Cody Kessler and Max Wittek, have the ability to start and an additional season's worth of knowledge to put that talent to good use.

Wrapping up this week's portion of the 50 most valuable USC football players of 2012. We'll conclude the series with the top two next week.

NO. 3 -- S T.J. McDONALD

Vitals: 6-3, 205, senior

Comment: USC has very good depth at safety; it might be the deepest position on the team. But McDonald merits top-three MVP status because he's a special player and just as much a leader on defense as fellow No. 7 Matt Barkley is on offense. The son of a safety, McDonald was born to play the position. But he doesn't rest on his genes. He's among the team's hardest workers and an avid film student who's constantly seeking ways to get better. That's exactly the sort of example you want your veteran players to set. McDonald is also a willing and effective special-teams performer. Would USC's defense be all right with some combination of Jawanza Starling, Demetrius Wright, Drew McAllister, Josh Shaw and Gerald Bowman at safety? Sure. But McDonald's combination of leadership, playmaking and over-the-middle intimidation gives the defense the potential to be great.